“Professional art is not only possible in CABA.”

For many people, the pandemic was a brake, a forced distance and synonym of isolation. For others, it was an opportunity to experience different ways of connecting. In this search, art found unexpected shortcuts.

This is what happened with Other World Companyan independent group of dancers and actresses who, in a cooperative manner, had been putting on various dance and theatre works since 2013. In 2020, they began to bring the Wake Up project to life, which little by little became the work that they will present on two dates during August, in Lomas de Zamora.

“It was created from some artistic dance works that we were producing, initially virtually, then sharing in open-air spaces,” says Gabriela Rüster, a member of the group. She continues: “We worked from texts and material that each member proposed, which seemed different but ultimately made it redundant to ask ourselves: Can we live in another way? Is this the world (in an affirmative way) or is this the world (in a reflective way)?”

The Otro Mundo theatre company presents Despierta in the southern zone. Photo: Courtesy of Rizoma Audiovisuales

Thus, he says, he began to ask questions like “Do we automatically agree to become part of the system? Or can we do something to empathize and live/coexist more lovingly and healthily?” And in that questioning, the outline of some answers appeared through dance and body expression.

The name, Wake upwas to finish giving shape to that idea: “It generated emotions regarding ‘wake up’ as an action and/or as a characteristic.” Already in 2022, when restrictions eased, they were able to begin face-to-face meetings in closed places. And in November of that year they were already premiering their first artistic dance-theater piece, composed of choreographic fusion dance scenes, with touches of theater and body expression.

Among the members (the six current members and those who passed away) there are many things in common, shared projects, classes and a place of belonging: zona sound onespecially Lomas de Zamora, Lanús and Llavallol. On this, María Laura Ignatti, a member of this space, reflects: “Zonal identity is fundamental to also promote the idea that it is possible to manage and create professional art here, and not just in CABA or in renowned places.”

The Otro Mundo theatre company presents Despierta in the southern zone. Photo: Courtesy of Rizoma Audiovisuales

In this suburban identity, ties are also generated that go beyond the activity that brought them together in the first place. “The fact that these are spaces where you also meet someone else who shares the same day-to-day life as you is even more valuable. From there, conversations can emerge, other moments to share outside of that space. Collaborating in the social sphere. Art, professionalism, closeness, friendship. It’s a beautiful combination,” adds María Laura.

The team of Another World The company is made up of Marlene Barrientos, María Laura Ignatti, Yamila Palopoli, Gabriela Rüster, Sabrina Attwell and Bárbara Vaccarini. The director of the company since its beginning is Nicolás Riomayor (performer, dancer, dance and visual arts teacher) who always lived in the southern zone until he moved a few years ago to Santa Teresita and continues to work with the company from a distance. A distance similar, but very different, to the one that was the germ of the work at the time.

To reach this stage, they shared productions from 2013, such as Cristal, Skin, Crecer, Sonido and Silencio. In Despierta, which will be presented on August 10 at 9 pm and on the 18th at 8 pm at Otro Mundo Teatro (Avenida Almirante Brown 3589, Temperley), they are invited to question routine and everything that is naturalized and does not contribute to our society. “We walk, we run, we run and we run. We stumble, we push and we continue… We understand, we forgive and we find ourselves… Despierta,” the proposal explains.

“This work has the particularity that you go through multiple emotions. From uncertainty, discomfort and anger to love, transformation and empathy,” concludes Gabriela.